Use the Rounds link in the Main Navigation bar to join the discussion. To find out what other interesting rounds topics are coming soon, see This Week's Rounds Schedule.

If you can't attend, be sure to check the Rounds Page or Front Page of VIN or next Tuesday's VIN This Week for links to the transcript of the discussions.

The Clock is Ticking...
You may have noticed the message boards are sporting a new look. The VIN Wizards are transitioning everyone to Message Boards 2.0. For a while, you'll be able to switch back if you have troubles but Message Boards 2.0 will soon be the only version available. There are some known browser issues, so now may be the time to upgrade. And remember, VIN is YOUR community so please post feedback!

New Content in the VIN Library
Above and beyond the thousands of new and updated message board discussions, journal abstracts and information resources added by the VIN Content Team, the VIN community continues to create and contribute up-to-date summaries on timely topics. Save time, check out the Medical FAQs and the VIN Library -- before you post.

New Medical FAQ:

• Radioiodine Therapy for Dogs

Proceedings newly added to VIN.
The Proceedings from the IAAAM Annual Meetings 1969-2007 are now available in the VIN Library. The latest additions are 1998 & 1999:

• IAAAM Archives 1998
• IAAAM Archives 1999

If you'd like to contribute an article of your own or your favorite form, email to Feedback@vin.com.

NEWS THAT'S FIT TO CLICK...and discuss News reported by Jennifer Fiala for YOU.
Learn more about why Jennifer is here and tell her WHAT YOU THINK.

New in VeterinaryPartner:

• Down-shifting
• Basic Virology in General revised
• Cephalexin (Keflex) revised

Texas Farm Radio

• Equine Nutrition and Supplements

Risk of pyometra in bitches treated for mismating with low doses of oestradiol benzoate
A retrospective study of the clinical records of a UK general practice found that the incidence of pyometra in the four months after administration of low doses of oestradiol benzoate was 8.7 percent, whereas the incidence in the practice's untreated at-risk population was estimated to be less than 1.32 percent per interoestrus interval, suggesting that more than 85 per cent of pyometras occurring within four months of treatment are iatrogenic.

Adverse effects of ketoconazole in dogs - a retrospective study
The medical records of 632 dogs treated with ketoconazole (2.6-33.4 mg/kg) were reviewed. Adverse effects occurred in 14.6% and included vomiting (7.1%), anorexia (4.9%), lethargy (1.9%), diarrhea (1.1%), pruritus (0.6%), erythema (0.3%), and other adverse effects (2.5%). Adverse effects were significantly more often recorded in dogs concurrently treated with cyclosporin or ivermectin.

Ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in the dog
Underlying conditions that may be associated with canine stroke include hypothyroidism, neoplasia, sepsis, hypertension, parasites, vascular malformation, and coagulopathy. Treatment is mainly supportive and recovery often occurs within a few weeks. The prognosis is usually good if no underlying disease is found.

Tail amputation methods in dogs
It's been a while since I've had to do a tail amputation in an adult dog, so I'm hoping for any words of wisdom from the masses ...

Intitial methimazole dosing and monitoring for hyperthyroid cats; should we treat cats with mildly elevated T4?
If you know any hyperthyroid humans, you know that even with modest increases in thyroid hormones, there are significant adverse effects and decreased quality of life.

General anesthesia and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in a dog with a history of idiopathic hepatoxicity
Other than the existing carprofen literature, there's nothing published on idiosyncratic hepatic reactions to veterinary NSAIDs. However, anecdotal reports abound.

Multimodal analgesia in canine osteoarthritis
Here is my multimodal osteoarthritis management, in a nutshell ...

Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, August 19, 9:30 p.m. EDT
(August 20, 1:30 a.m. GMT)
Stop by and chat with your fellow VIN addicts!

How To Use VIN: Part 3
Wednesday, August 20, 9:30 pm EDT
(August 21, 01:30 am GMT)
Learn how to be a Super VINner!
Email Nate@VIN.com for more information about this free, three-session course.

This Week's Rounds Schedule
Use the Rounds link to join these discussions.
Recent Rounds
@ = VINcast is available for this session

Member Benefit:
The VIN Bookstore is better than ever!
During the past year, visibility and promotion of the VIN Bookstore as a VIN member benefit was greatly reduced. Why? Because despite the savings available, long delivery times diminished the 'benefit'. We are happy to report that those issues have been resolved...and that once again the VIN Bookstore is truly a member benefit. VIN Members save 10% or more off the list price every day and free shipping on US orders of $90.00 or more. Please tell us what you think.

Get More From VIN!
"How to Use VIN" resources:
The three-part "How To Use VIN" course can be taken live (on the first three Wednesday nights of each month), or you can do it as self study.

If you'd like to take the live sessions, email Nate at Nate@VIN.com, and tell him you'd like to sign up for the How To Course.

To keep up with VIN's growth, take the time to explore the Front Page at least once a week, read the VIN This Week (VINTW) newsletter twice a week, explore the VINDEX (VIN's Front Page, right hand column), and click all the buttons on VIN's navigation bars.

Funny Bones:
A Few Good Ones...
"A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, 'I'll serve you, but don't start anything.' "

What's Your Diagnosis?
* Archives of the Challenging and Fun Cases
* Fun Case 62

Book Review of the Week:
“The rhino with glue-on shoes and other surprising true stories of zoo vets and their patients”

Website of the Week:
Bees and Wasps and more...

Tip of the Week:
Spell Checker

Associate - Updated and New:
* Want to learn more about the pathophysiology of glucose metabolism? The Associate chapters on canine and feline hypoglycemia is a good place to start.
* Explore the rest of Associate!

Upcoming Conferences
Looking to attend or contribute a paper to a veterinary conference? Check out the On The Road With VIN folder, or the Press Releases folder, to see what conferences are coming up and to visit their Web sites! Links to information about upcoming conferences include: CVC Central, ECVIM, IVECCS, AAFP, ESFM and Veterinary Dental Forum.

Fall Into These Great CE Offerings!

REGISTRATION OPEN NOW:
Practical Avian Medicine Module 1
October 7, 2008 - October 21, 2009

*Module 1 will cover the following topics: Avian anatomy and physiology, ID and classification, husbandry and nutrition.

Exotic and Emerging Animal Diseases: Remembering the Zebras
October 8 - November 19, 2008

*This course will review the major exotic and emerging animal diseases, emphasizing the clinical signs and gross lesions of these diseases in various species and the role of the practitioner and other professionals. Major emphasis will be placed on including exotic diseases in the differential diagnosis of various clinical presentations and the importance of laboratory support for the diagnosis of both "horses and zebras."

Practical Avian Medicine Module 2
October 21, 2008 - November 4, 2009

*Module 2: Avian Handling and Disease Recognition will cover the following topics: Handling, restraint, behavior; disease in commonly kept birds.

For information on other CE courses, check out the Course Catalog on the CE Main Page.

Please visit How-To's Of Online CE for details about how to register and participate in online CE courses.

If you're looking for information on CE opportunities for veterinary technicians, receptionists or practice managers, please visit the VSPN CE page. VSPN offers courses specifically tailored to veterinary support personnel, and certain VIN courses also are open to VPSN members.